Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KATHMANDU1590
2004-08-12 21:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

NEPAL: NATIONAL CONGRESS PRESIDENT KOIRALA:

Tags:  PGOV PREL NP GON 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001590 

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL-GURNEY
NSC FOR DORMANDY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL NP GON
SUBJECT: NEPAL: NATIONAL CONGRESS PRESIDENT KOIRALA:
TILTING AT WINDMILLS?

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)

SUMMARY
--------

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001590

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL-GURNEY
NSC FOR DORMANDY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL NP GON
SUBJECT: NEPAL: NATIONAL CONGRESS PRESIDENT KOIRALA:
TILTING AT WINDMILLS?

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) In his August 6 courtesy call on National Congress
(NC) President G.P. Koirala, the Ambassador urged the parties
to reach consensus before talks with the Maoists. Koirala
replied that he wanted to stay outside the government to push
for peace and position himself for power once elections were
possible. He believed that without India's goodwill the
Maoist insurgency could not be solved.

THE NC'S PLAN
--------------


2. (C) Koirala told the Ambassador that although India had
advised him to join the government coalition, he would not -
for three reasons. He explained that to do so would tarnish
the party's image because it had been critical of the King.
Second, its voice would be weaker because it would have to
toe the coalition's line. Finally, Koirala said that if he
and NC could solve the Maoist problem, the party's image
would improve and NC would win the next election. The
Ambassador asked him whether he was worried that the Maoists
might use the rift among the legitimate political forces and
slow down the effort to build consensus, which was needed
before talks with the Maoists. While Koirala acknowledged he
would have to be cautious about that, he focused on the King
being the hurdle. He complained that the King did not seem
to be interested in talking about the Maoist problem.

PURSUING PEACE WITH THE MAOISTS
--------------


3. (C) Koirala informed the Ambassador that the party had
authorized him to have a dialogue with the Maoists in order
to bring them into the political mainstream. Koirala stated
that he was hoping to first lay the groundwork with the
international community and civil society before going to the
other parties. Koirala stated his belief that a political
settlement was possible, however, the most important element
would be convincing the Maoists to lay down arms. He opined
that if the Maoists agreed to do so, the UN could manage the
process, along with rehabilitation and reintegration.
Mentioning that he had met with UN Under Secretary for
Political Affairs Tamrat Samuel, Koirala said he was
concerned that although he had no objections to a UN role, it
may not be palatable to the King, the people or India.


4. (C) In reply to the Ambassador's query about the
possibility of secret talks in a third country, Koirala said
that would depend on India. Talks could be done anywhere,
Koirala noted, however, without India's goodwill, he did not
think the problem would be solved. Koirala continued that he
had suggested to Indian interlocutors that, if there were
UN-mediated talks, India could come as an observer.
According to Koirala, India agreed to take his proposal under
consideration. Koirala went on to say that India agreed to
his suggestion that because of Nepal's historic mistrust of
India's intentions, India needed to remain in the background
when talks with the Maoists occurred. However, Koirala
thought India needed to pressure the Maoists. Continuing his
efforts to promote possible peace talks with the
international community, Koirala told the Ambassador he had
also discussed a possible UN role with the Chinese Charge
d'Affaires. The Charge told Koirala that while the PRC could
accept a UN presence at talks, it would not accept UN
mediation.

COMMENT
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador repeatedly stressed to Koirala that
there has to be unity among the legitimate political forces,
including civil society and the palace, about how to go
forward with the Maoists. Koirala, however, seems to be out
of the loop and believes he is pursuing a peace initiative
that will cause the other legitimate political parties to
fall in line.
MORIARTY